EDGES OF WALKS 193 



These remarks concerning the curbings and 

 Lard edges of city streets may also be applied to 

 walks and drives in small grounds. Fig. 170, for 

 example, shows the common method of treating 

 the edge of a walk, by making a sharp and sheer 

 elevation. This edge needs constant trimming, 

 else it becomes unshapely; and this trimming 

 tends to widen the walk. For general purposes, 

 a border, like that shown in Fig. 171, is better. 

 The sod rolls over until it meets the walk, and the 

 lawn-mower is able to keep it in condition. If 

 it becomes more or less rough and irregular, it is 

 pounded down. 



If it is thought necessary to trim the edges of 

 walks and drives, then one of the various kinds 

 of sod -cutters which are sold by dealers may be 

 used for the purpose, or an old hoe may have its 

 shank straightened and the corners of the blade 

 rounded off, as shown in Fig. 172, and this will 

 answer all purposes of the common sod -cutter ; 

 or, a sharp, straight -edged spade may sometimes 

 be used. The loose overhanging grass on these 

 edges is ordinarily cut by large shears made for 

 the purpose. 



Walks and drives should be laid in such direc- 

 tion that they will tend to drain themselves ; but 

 if it is necessary to have gutters, these should be 

 deep and sharp at the bottom, for the water then 

 draws together and tends to keep the gutter clean. 

 A shallow and rounded gutter does not clean 



